Friday, May 12, 2017

Buffalo man sentenced for possessing firearm

BUFFALO -- Justin Vazquez, 30, of Buffalo, who was convicted by a jury of being a felon-in-possession of a firearm, was sentenced to 72 months incarceration by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. In reaching his sentence, Judge Geraci commented that the defendant had demonstrated a total disrespect for any authority.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Adler and Michael P. Felicetta, who handled the trial of the case, stated that on January 29, 2015, the defendant’s mother made a 911 call to Buffalo Police claiming that she was being held hostage by Vazquez in her residence on Madison Avenue in Buffalo. There were also two minors present in the home according to the mother.

When officers arrived, the defendant was in the shower. During a search of the residence, officers found a loaded semi-automatic assault rifle in Vazquez’s bedroom. On the bedroom door was a hand written sign that read “no trespassing or you will be shot.” Forensic testing determined that the defendant’s DNA was on the rifle.

By virtue of three prior felony criminal contempt convictions sustained by defendant in State court, he was prevented from legally possessing a firearm.